Sliver splicing arrangement for a spinning machine

Abstract

A spinning machine is disclosed which includes a sliver feeding device for introducing sliver into a spinning unit from a sliver container. To accommodate picking out the starting portion of a new sliver from a container and for connecting it with an end portion of the old sliver entering the spinning unit, apparatus is provided for picking up the new sliver and supporting the same in such a manner that the old sliver and the new sliver overlap one another in the area of the sliver supporting device adjacent the inlet area of the feeding device of the spinning unit.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. A spinning machine having a plurality of adjacently arranged spinning units, each containing a sliver feeding means for the withdrawal of a sliver from a container and for the introduction of the sliver into the respective spinning unit, and having means for picking up the starting portion of a new sliver of a readies container and for connecting it with the end portion of the old sliver entering into the spinning unit, wherein each spinning unit, in the inlet area, is equipped with sliver supporting means for supporting the entering sliver, and wherein the means for picking up the starting portion of the new sliver is applied to the sliver supporting means in such a manner that the old sliver and the new sliver overlap one another and are clamped at their overlapped portion between the sliver supporting means at the spinning unit and a clamping means of the means for picking up the starter portion of the sliver. 
     
     
       2. A spinning machine according to claim 1, wherein the sliver supporting means are constructed as a guiding groove arranged blow an inlet for the sliver. 
     
     
       3. A spinning machine according to claim 2, wherein the means for the connecting contain at least one blowing nozzle which can be aimed at the slivers. 
     
     
       4. A spinning machine according to claim 1, wherein the means for connecting the old sliver with the new sliver can be applied to the sliver supporting means. 
     
     
       5. A spinning machine according to claim 1, wherein the means for the picking-up and for the connecting contain at least one means for cutting at least one of the old and the new sliver to the proper length. 
     
     
       6. A spinning machine according to claim 5, wherein at least one of the means for the picking-up, the means for the cutting into the proper length, and the means for the introduction, are housed in a movable servicing means which can be applied to the individual spinning units. 
     
     
       7. A spinning machine according to claim 1, wherein means are provided for preparing the end portion of the old sliver and the starting portion of the new sliver. 
     
     
       8. A spinning machine according to claim 1, wherein the means for the connecting contain elements for the mixing of the fibers of both slivers. 
     
     
       9. A spinning machine according to claim 8, wherein the means for the connecting contain needle-shaped elements which are pierced into the slivers. 
     
     
       10. A spinning machine according to claim 8, wherein the elements for the mixing contain at least one blowing nozzle which can be aimed at the slivers. 
     
     
       11. A spinning machine according to one of claim 1, wherein means are provided which is applied to the sliver feeding means for introducing the starting portion of the new sliver into the inlet of the respective spinning unit. 
     
     
       12. A spinning machine according to claim 1, wherein the means for the picking-up and the means for the connecting contain at least one element for the conveying of sliver. 
     
     
       13. A spinning machine according to one of claim 1, wherein the sliver supporting means are movably held at the spinning unit and are connected with a means for the opening of the sliver feeding means, and wherein a movable servicing means is provided which is equipped with means for moving the sliver supporting means. 
     
     
       14. A spinning machine according to one of claim 1, wherein a movable servicing means is provided which is equipped with means for the opening and exposing of the sliver feeding means. 
     
     
       15. A spinning machine according to one of claim 14, wherein means are provided which can be applied to the sliver feeding means for introducing the starting portion of the new sliver into the inlet area of the respective spinning unit. 
     
     
       16. A spinning machine according to one of claim 1, wherein a servicing means is provided which is equipped with means for the actuating of the sliver feeding means of a spinning unit. 
     
     
       17. A spinning machine according to claim 1, wherein means are provided for preparing the end portion of the old sliver and the starting portion of the new sliver. 
     
     
       18. A spinning machine according to claim 17, wherein the means for the connecting contain elements for the mixing of the fibers of both slivers. 
     
     
       19. A spinning machine comprising a plurality of adjacently arranged spinning units, each spinning unit including sliver feeding means for withdrawing sliver from a container and feeding the sliver into the respective spinning unit, each spinning unit being provided with sliver supporting surface means for supporting the sliver being fed thereto, and a mobile servicing apparatus which is movably selectively disposable adjacent respective ones of the spinning units to perform servicing operations, said mobile servicing apparatus including sliver splicing means for splicing a starting portion of new sliver from a container with an end portion of old sliver being fed to a respective spinning units wherein said sliver splicing means includes sliver clamp means for clamping overlapping portions of the new and old sliver between said sliver clamp means and the sliver supporting surface means at a respective spinning unit. 
     
     
       20. A spinning machine according to claim 19, wherein the sliver supporting surface means is constructed as a guiding groove arranged below an inlet for the sliver. 
     
     
       21. A spinning machine according to claim 19, wherein the sliver splicing means includes cutting means for cutting at least one of the old and new sliver portions to a proper length. 
     
     
       22. A spinning machine according to claim 21, wherein the sliver splicing means includes sliver end preparing means for preparing at least one of the old and new sliver end portions to facilitate splicing thereof. 
     
     
       23. A spinning machine according to claim 22, wherein the sliver splicing means includes mixing means for mixing fibers from both the old and new sliver portions with one another. 
     
     
       24. A spinning machine according to claim 19, wherein the sliver splicing means includes sliver end preparing means for preparing at least one of the old and new sliver end portions to facilitate splicing thereof. 
     
     
       25. A spinning machine according to claim 19, wherein the sliver splicing means includes mixing means for mixing fibers from both the old and new sliver portions with one another. 
     
     
       26. A spinning machine according to claim 19, wherein the sliver splicing means includes needle-shaped elements which can be pierced into the overlapping sliver portions. 
     
     
       27. A spinning machine according to claim 19, wherein the sliver splicing means includes blowing nozzle means which can be aimed at the overlapping sliver portions. 
     
     
       28. A spinning machine according to claim 19, wherein the mobile servicing apparatus includes means for controlling sliver feeding means at respective spinning units.